Türkiye Presses for SDF Integration as Fidan Meets Syrian Officials

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday welcomed what he described as a declaration by the YPG/SDF to dissolve and integrate into Syrian state institutions, but said the commitment must be implemented immediately and translated into changes on the ground.

Speaking in Damascus alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Fidan placed the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) among the central security issues facing Syria as Ankara seeks closer relations with the country's authorities.

"We value the declaration by the YPG/SDF that it will dissolve itself and integrate into Syria's state institutions," Fidan said, according to TRT Haber. "It is an important response to the Syrian government's constructive efforts."

He added that the step "must be implemented without delay and put into practice on the ground."

Fidan's remarks are particularly relevant to Kurdish politics in Syria because the SDF has been a principal military and political actor in northeastern Syria. His comments reflect Ankara's continued emphasis on dismantling autonomous armed structures and bringing them under the authority of the Syrian state.

The supplied TRT Haber report does not provide details on the terms, timetable or mechanism of the integration process referred to by Fidan, nor does it include a response from SDF officials to his comments.

Ankara Links SDF Issue to Syria's Wider Stabilization

Fidan framed the question of the SDF within a broader argument that Syria has entered a new phase after years of war and isolation.

He said relations between Türkiye and Syria had gained momentum over the past two years and argued that the country was rebuilding its regional relationships and domestic institutions.

According to Fidan, Ankara views the integration of the YPG/SDF into state structures as part of that process.

Türkiye has consistently treated the YPG as a security threat and frequently refers to the YPG and SDF together in its political rhetoric. Fidan used the formulation "YPG/SDF" throughout his remarks.

His Damascus comments therefore suggest that Ankara will judge the emerging Syrian order in part by whether armed structures outside direct state control are dissolved or incorporated into official institutions.

Fidan also said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was expected to visit Syria in the near future, presenting his own trip as part of preparations for deeper bilateral engagement.

Fidan Accuses Israel of Undermining Syrian Stability
The Turkish foreign minister also directed strong criticism at Israel, arguing that Israeli military actions were obstructing efforts to stabilize Syria and combat terrorism.

"Israel's policies are the greatest obstacle to the positive progress being made in the fight against terrorism," Fidan said. "Israeli attacks are also undermining the joint struggle. Through these attacks, Israel seeks to destabilize Syria."

He went further, alleging that Israel supports terrorist organizations including ISIS and has contributed to instability inside Syria.

The TRT Haber material supplied for this report does not present evidence supporting that allegation and does not include an Israeli response. Kurdistan24 cannot independently verify Fidan's claim.

Fidan said Türkiye wanted to see Syria regain full sovereignty and become a source of stability for neighboring countries.

He also argued that attempts to destabilize Syria would have consequences across the wider region and called on the international community to pressure Israel to change course.

Economic Cooperation Also on Agenda

Alongside security questions, Fidan said Türkiye and Syria were working to deepen economic ties.

He described strong interest from Turkish businesses and said Ankara was working to establish the infrastructure needed for greater commercial cooperation.

Fidan also pointed to Syrians who have lived in Türkiye for more than a decade and developed business networks that he said could now contribute to economic activity between the two countries.

That economic dimension forms part of Ankara's broader vision of a Syrian state that is territorially consolidated, economically connected to its neighbors and able to exercise authority across the country.

For Kurdish actors in northeastern Syria, however, the most consequential part of Fidan's message concerned the SDF.

Ankara has publicly welcomed the prospect of integration, but Fidan made clear that Türkiye does not regard a declaration alone as sufficient.

His remarks indicate that the next phase will be judged by implementation: whether the structures Fidan referred to as the YPG/SDF are actually dissolved or incorporated into Syrian state institutions, and what political and security arrangements emerge from that process.

The TRT Haber report did not specify when that process is expected to be completed or what institutional role, if any, current SDF structures or personnel would retain afterward.